Improvement in hub-clamps



[122.1 JAMES Mc'CLELLAND.

- Improvement in Hub Clamps. No.- 118,868. 22332.7 Patented Sap-12,1871.

PATENT QFFICE.

JAMES MCCLELLAND, OF GENEVA, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT lN HUB-CLAMPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,868, dated September 12,1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES MOGLELLAND, of Geneva, in the county of Ontario and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in HubClamps, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to prevent the splitting of hubs in driving the spokes; and it consists in applying to the swell of the hub, on each side of the spoke mortises, a clamp which is composed of a flexible ring divided at one point and surmounted by two heads which are connected by a screw-bolt, as hereinafter described.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved clamp; Fig. 2, a perspective view of a hub, having two of the clamps applied thereto.

The clamp is made of malleable cast-iron, brass, or any other suitable material. The main length consists of a ring, A, which is sufficiently thin to yield readily and adapt itself closely upon the circle which it fits. At one point, a, it is cleft, as shown, and the ends are surmounted by thickened heads b b, through which passes an ordinary carriagebolt, B. One head is made with a square socket to receive the square shank'of the head of the bolt, while the other socket is made elongated in its diameter to allow the screw end of the bolt to play therein to adapt itself to place as the clamp is drawn up. Inside the heads are projections c c, which form continuations of the ring portion, and are concentric with the circle upon which the ring is drawn. These parts form the boundaries of the cleft, and nearly touch when drawn up on the smallest size of hub which the clamp will fit. Their extreme points are slightly turned up, as shown, so that they will not mar the wood when being closed tightly thereon. Two of these bands are applied upon a hub close to the mortises in which the spokes are to be driven, as shown in Fig. 2. When this is done the spokes may be driven with impunity, and there will be do danger of splitting the wood of the swell or enlargement. Heretofore whole or entire bands have been applied, but to the ends of the hub and not to the swell or enlarged part. Much difficulty has been experienced from the chipping off or splitting of the swell portion, which receives no protection from the end bands. Such bands also usually have to be reset, or new ones put on after the hubs have been seasoned, which involves considerable labor and expense. I obviate all difficulty of the kind, for my clamps fit closely to the spoke-mortises on the swell of the h ub, which is therefore perfectly protected against chipping or splitting. After the spokes are driven the clamps are removed and the wheel properly seasoned. No resetting of bands is required.

The novelty of my invention is the special form and construction of the clamp, whereby itis adapted to this work. It will be noticed that the circle of the ring which fits the hub is made entire, with the exception of the slight separation at the cleft a, which is only of sufiicient extent to close up as pressure is applied. By this means the bearing of the ring is upon the whole circle of the hub. This effect is produced by carrying the projections 0 c inward beyond the heads. Ordinary clamps would not answer, since they would not bear upon the whole circle of the hub, but would leave a portion uncovered, thereby increasing the danger of splitting under pressure on a portion, while the balance is unprotected.

There is also a degree of novelty in the heads I) I), which give strength at the point where the strain is applied, and also prevent the bolt from turning and allow it to adapt itself to place as the heads are drawn together.

I am aware that clamps of various kinds are in use for boring hubs, 85c. Such I do not claim, broadly; but

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

As a new article of manufacture, the clamp A for embracing hubs while driving in the spokes, consisting of a flexible ring, made in a single piece, cleft at one point, and provided with heads I) b united by a screw-bolt, B, said ring having also extensions or projections c 0 inside the heads and concentric with the ring, and nearly closing the circle, the whole arranged as described, and

operating in the manner and for the purpose speci- In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Witnesses: JAMES MOOLELLAND.

' R. F. Oseoon,

Anonn. BAINE. 

